Talking Photographic Workflows with Sam Hurd

By Scott Wyden Kivowitz

Last updated on 11/14/2024

One thing that has drastically changed Sam Hurd’s wedding photography workflow was fully embracing live view.

His journey with live view started before switching to mirrorless, but now Sam is using Canon mirrorless cameras.

Before using the Canon R3, Sam used the flip screen’s live view 90% of the time. Following the switch to the Canon R3, Sam is using the camera’s electronic viewfinder more because of the Eye Control AF. That technology tracks where the photographer is looking and focuses on that spot.

That means he does not have to focus manually as much or use his fingers to focus as much.

From DLSR to mirrorless cameras, live view, and electric viewfinders have changed the wedding photography game and business workflow for Sam Hurd.

  1. The photographer has to use their hands to hold the camera and focus through an optical viewfinder with a traditional DSLR camera.
  2. With an LCD with live view, photographers could look at a real-time view of their subjects and tap the screen to autofocus.
  3. Electronic viewfinders (tiny LCD screens) became the norm with mirrorless cameras, along with dramatically improved real-time viewing.
  4. With new technologies and in-camera AI, cameras can recognize your subject’s eyes for more accurate autofocus. Cameras can also recognize your eye for autofocus without adjustment with your hands. This technology frees up your hands so you can concentrate on other aspects of your photography, like framing and timing your shots.

Do you prefer viewfinders or screens? Comment to share.

Watch and listen to Sam Hurd talking about this in detail in a clip from episode 3 of our podcast, Workflows.

If you are interested in hearing more from Sam, including his entire workflow from lead to delivery, listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts or the official Workflows podcast page.

Subscribe on

If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, please complete the form here for consideration.



5/5 - (4 votes) Rate this post!

Related Posts